New Orleans, LA

Bourbon Street
DESCRIPTION: 13-blocks of bawdy, raucous and colorful activity, no street more authentically personifies the French Quarter better; a 24/7 venue of dance clubs, bars, burlesque clubs, restaurants, hotels, historic sites and gift shops, with its highest activity concentrated between Canal Street and Dumaine Street; it is said that Jean LaFitte set up a Blacksmith shop at the corner of Bourbon & St. Philips Streets as a front for his main profession - pirating; several buildings on the street, also known as Rue Bourbon, date to the 1700s and 1800s and it shows in their character detail; the celebrated Galatoires Restaurant has been at 209 Bourbon Street for more than a century and the intersection of Bourbon Street and St. Anne Street begins the section catering to New Orleans’ gay community; Bourbon Street after a major football or basketball game is always of the chain; in summary, if you can't find something of interest on pedestrian-oriented Bourbon Street, you 'aint living
ADMISSION: free, but some nightclubs have a cover charge
DAYS & HOURS: 24/7
ADDRESS: Bourbon Street from Canal Street to Esplanade Ave  MAP
PARKING: French Quarteer parking garages
TRANSIT: Canal Streetcar stops at Bourbon Street
PHONE: no general #
WEBSITE: link

Royal Street
DESCRIPTION: Though sedate by comparison and 1 block closer to the river than Bourbon Street, one finds Royal Street; it is one of America's finest expressions of artistic culture featuring an unmatched collection of antique shops, art galleries, clothing boutiques, fine jewelry stores, and 4 & 5 star hotels and restaurants; at any given time you'll see some of the world's greatest artists showing works and dropping by; two excellent Black Art galleries have joined the list of tenants on the street; the antique shops are so extensive, it seems as though Royal Street gets first dibs on every Southern estate sale - some pieces are absolutely breathtaking; then there's the renown restaurants of Brennan's, Mr B's, Pere Antoine's and The Court of Two Sisters upholding New Orleans status as top-tier culinary destination in the world
ADMISSION: free
DAYS & HOURS: dawn to dusk
ADDRESS: Royal Street from Canal Street to Esplanade Ave  MAP
PARKING: French Quarteer parking garages
TRANSIT: Canal Streetcar stops close to Royal Street
PHONE: no general #
WEBSITE: link

St. Louis Cathedral
DESCRIPTION: It what you get when you cross the oldest continuously-active cathedral in the United States with a weeding chapel for “Voodoo Queen” Marie Leveau; it was also named after France's King Louis IX and consecrated in 1794, this landmark frames Jackson Square oh so perfectly--save plenty of film for this location; as a bonus, Cathedral Gardens are in the back
ADMISSION: free
DAYS & HOURS: tours Mon-Sat 9a-5p, Sun 1:30p-5p
ADDRESS: 615 Pere Antoine Ally  MAP
PARKING: French Quarter garages
TRANSIT: Riverwalk Streetcar is 2 blocks to the southeast
PHONE: 504-525-9585
WEBSITE: http://stlouiscathedral.org

Cafe Du Monde
DESCRIPTION: Located in the multi-building French Market complex since 1862, its serves sinfully delicious hot beignets and cafe au lait; a long-time favorite with tourists and locals that has to be near the top of your list to visit
ADMISSION: free, but you'd be insane not buy a beignet
DAYS & HOURS: 24/7 except Christmas
ADDRESS: 800 Decatur Street  MAP
PARKING: French Market parking lot
TRANSIT: Riverwalk Streetcar is adjacent
PHONE: 504-525-4544
WEBSITE: http://www.cafedumonde.com

French Market
DESCRIPTION: What began as a Native American trading post opened as America's oldest market at this site in 1791; the market changed hands many times over the decades became tattered for many years; it was fully restored in 1975 with a large arcade-like complex of one-of-a-kind shops; today area farmers meet here to sell produce around the clock
ADMISSION: free
DAYS & HOURS: 9a-6p
ADDRESS: 1008 North Peters Street  MAP
PARKING: French Market parking lot
TRANSIT: Riverwalk Streetcar is adjacent
PHONE: 504-522-2621
WEBSITE: http://www.frenchmarket.org

JAX Brewery
DESCRIPTION: Built in 1891 and many years removed from being a brewhouse, its Germanic architectural design still captures the eye with four floors of retail stores, attractions, restaurants, bars and cafés; a bonus is that you can enjoy breathtaking views of the French Quarter from its upper levels; shopping is punctuated with many only-in-New Orleans shops such as Cajun Clothing Company, Gumbo Kids, Its About Time, and JAX art gallery; an ATM is located on the 2nd floor
ADMISSION: free
DAYS & HOURS: daily 10a-7p
ADDRESS: 600 Decatur Street  MAP
PARKING: JAX Parking Lot, which is large and adjacent to the building
TRANSIT: Riverwalk Streetcar is adjacent
PHONE: 504-566-7245
WEBSITE: http://www.jacksonbrewery.com

New Orleans School of Cooking
DESCRIPTION: Since 1980, it has introduced countless visitors from around the world to the wonderful food of New Orleans; cooking demonstrations are taught by well known local Creole and Cajun chefs; classes held daily in a beautifully renovated 1830's molasses warehouse; visitors are treated to a wide range of local classics such as Jambalaya, Gumbo, Corn & Crab Bisque, and Pralines; classes feature 4 food items and include generous samplings of the demonstrated menu items as well as recipes, coffee, iced tea and Abita beer, so its best to make reservations online
ADMISSION: fee depends on your reservation
DAYS & HOURS: reservations for 2.5 two hour classes daily 10a-12:30p
ADDRESS: 524 St. Louis Street  MAP
PARKING: French Quarter garages
TRANSIT: Riverwalk Streetcar 1 block southeast
PHONE: 504-525-2665
WEBSITE: http://www.neworleansschoolofcooking.com

House of Blues
DESCRIPTION: Gets loud at this tourist destination with an extensive calendar of blues, jazz and now some gospel concerts; specialties include Memphis barbecue, voodoo chicken, wood fired pizza, shrimp remoulade; check out the foundation room
DAYS & HOURS: Sun 12p-11p, Mon-Thu 11a-11p; Fri-Sat 11a-until
ADDRESS: 225 Decatur Ave  MAP
PARKING: 1 block down Iberville Street to North Peters Street parking lot
TRANSIT: Riverwalk Streetcar 2 blocks southeast and Canal Streetcar 2 blocks southwest
PHONE: 504-529-2583
WEBSITE: http://www.hob.com/venues/clubvenues/neworleans

World Trade Center of New Orleans
DESCRIPTION: At 407 feet, it towers above Spanish Plaza and sits next to Aquarium of the Americas; the Plimsoll Club on the 30th floor WTC offers magnificent views of the busy port, Mississippi River and city skyline during a cocktail or dinner - also popular for wedding receptions
ADMISSION: free, except for concerts
DAYS & HOURS: Mon-Fri 9a-5p
ADDRESS: 2 Canal Street  MAP
PARKING: Downtown parking garages
TRANSIT: Riverwalk Streetcar stops underneath and Canal Streetcar is adjacent to entrance
PHONE: 504-529-1701
WEBSITE: http://www.wtcno.org

Riverwalk Marketplace
DESCRIPTION: A major shopping center with a festive riverfront theme; features plenty of gift items for men and women; a $10 purchase provides parking validation
ADMISSION: free
DAYS & HOURS: daily 10a-11:30p
ADDRESS: 1 Poydras Street  MAP
PARKING: Riverwalk parking garages
TRANSIT: Riverwalk Streetcar stops underneath and Canal Streetcar is adjacent to entrance
PHONE: 504-522-1555
WEBSITE: http://www.riverwalkmarketplace.com

Harrah's Casino & Resort
DESCRIPTION: This 100,000 square foot casino recently became the only land-based casino in Louisiana; that statement should be a surprise considering New Orleans bawdy centuries-old reputation; you can see the casino's Las Vegas lineage in the huge sophisticated gaming rooms; visitors enjoy another a New Orleans treat -- everyday there's a Mardi Gras indoor parade; the newly-constructed, AAA Four Diamond Harrah's Hotel is a 26-stories with 450 oversized luxurious rooms and suites; rooms feature deluxe beds with pillow-top mattresses, HDTV and WiFi
ADMISSION: free
DAYS & HOURS: 24/7
ADDRESS: 228 Poydras Street  MAP
PARKING: garage on premises
TRANSIT: Riverwalk Streetcar and Canal Streetcar are adjacent to entrance
PHONE: 504-533-6000
WEBSITE: link

Metairie Cemetery
DESCRIPTION: Opened in 1838 as a racetrack, it was converted to New Orleans largest cemetery in 1872; the great oval of the old racetrack can still be seen as part of the cemetery roadway system; graced with many grand oak trees, it has evolved into the most revered and beautiful cemetery in the city; the roster of historic political figures laid to rest here and the mausoleum architecture are diverse and astounding; stories of how people act and what goes on in this cemetery range between excerpts from a Stephen King novel and Mad magazine; one thing is certain, you won't be bored; listed on the National Register of Historic Places
ADMISSION: free, but its best to visit as part of a tour
DAYS & HOURS: daily dawn to dusk
ADDRESS: 5100 Pontchartrain Blvd  MAP
PARKING: on premises
TRANSIT: Canal Streetcar at Greenwood Cemetery, only stops 2 blocks from the entrance to Metairie Cemetery
PHONE: 504-486-6331
WEBSITE: link